Kirjahaku

This comprehensive reference volume covers every country in North Africa and West Asia, offering reliable demographic information and original interpretative essays by indigenous scholars and practitioners. It maps patterns of growth and decline, assesses major traditions and movements, analyzes key themes and examines current trends.Key points and features: - Profiles of Christianity in every country in North Africa and West Asia including clearly presented statistical and demographic information (Morocco and Western Sahara, Algeria and Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, The Gulf Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen], Armenia and Karabakh, and Georgia and Azerbaijan)- Analyses of leading features and current trends written by indigenous scholars- Essays examining each of the major Christian traditions (Anglicans, Independents, Orthodox, Protestants, Roman Catholics, Evangelicals, Pentecostals/Charismatics)- Essays exploring key themes such as faith and culture, worship and spirituality, theology, social and political engagement, mission and evangelism, religious freedom, interfaith relations, slavery, anthropology of evil, and migration Target audience: Christians interested in African and Asian

This book offers a commentary on the Arusha Call to Discipleship, unpacking the meaning of its 12-part summons. It provides an up-to-date theological and missiological view on a major ecumenical mission document with a personal reflection on the state of the world desperately in need of change and transformation. It intends to be a key resource for discovering what it means to become what Pope Francis described as "missionary disciples". Primarily meant for individuals and study groups in churches, mission agencies and theological institutions, it is a useful tool for anyone interested in the ecumenical mission movement and World Christianity.This small book aims to supply a commentary to assist anyone seeking to understand, and respond to "The Arusha Call to Discipleship" (the Call). The Call is a statement on the meaning of Christian mission in today's context that was issued by the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism held by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Arusha, Tanzania, in March 2018. The conference was the latest in a sequence of conferences, held roughly every ten years, that have attempted, on an ecumenical basis, to take account of the meaning of the mission to which followers of Jesus Christ are called.1 To mention the word "mission" is immediately to step into contested territory. Long gone is the easy complacency that assumed the superior Western world would send missions to benighted and primitive communities in the non-Western world to shape them in its own image. Far from being regarded as heroic pioneers of civilization and progress, the Western missionaries are now more likely to be derided as fanatics who set out to impose their belief system in situations where it was neither needed nor welcome. At the same time, "mission" is a term that has found new currency in contemporary times. Many organizations will proudly display a mission statement that tells you what they are all about.

In this remarkable volume covering diverse subjects, in a span of three decades, Kenneth R. Ross articulates his views on the meaning and practice of Christian mission and challenges the binary view of mission that prevailed before the 1950s. He further reflects on Scotland's experiences in the world-wide Christian mission and demonstrates the centrality of Africa in any discourse on Christianity. This volume is invaluable in its argument for a rethinking of Christian mission especially in relation to the West, which is now a new frontier for Christian mission. The book will be immensely beneficial to students of missiology and general readers who are interested in the subject of Christian Mission.

Malawi's first two Presbyterian ministers, Harry Kambwiri Matecheta and Stephen Kundecha, were ordained in March 1911. Ecclesiastically, this made them fully equal with their European fellow-ministers. There were, however, subtle and not-so-subtle racial codes that reminded them that they were expected to occupy a subordinate position. This Occasional Paper explores how they discovered their identity and vocation in a challenging context.

The first intellectual biography of Alexander Hetherwick, a key figure in Scotland-Malawi relations. Mission, race and colonialism were three forces shaping Malawi's history during the early years of the 20th century. They found a concentrated meeting point in the life of Scottish missionary Alexander Hetherwick, who led Blantyre Mission from 1898 to 1928. This book presents a fresh assessment of this towering figure in Malawi's history, contesting the scholarly consensus that Hetherwick betrayed the early ideals of Blantyre Mission by compromising too much with the colonial system that was in force during his leadership. Kenneth R. Ross assesses the pervasive influence of colonialism, from which Hetherwick was not exempt, and traces the ways in which he resisted such influence through his relentless commitment to the interests of the African community and the inspiration he found in the emergence of the African church.Kenneth R. Ross is Professor of Theology and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Zomba Theological University, and Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria.

Kenneth R. Ross is Professor of Theology and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Zomba Theological University. He is also Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, Honorary Fellow at the Edinburgh University School of Divinity, Senior Research Associate at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston, USA, Series Editor of the Edinburgh Companions to Global Christianity (Edinburgh University Press), and Associate Minister at Bernvu CCAP. He is the author of many books and articles on World Christianity, including the forthcoming co-authored volume Hope in Times of Crisis: Reimagining Ecumenical Mission. He has been researching and writing about Malawi church history and theology since he first arrived in Zomba in 1988.This book brings together a collection of essays written during the early 2020s in which Ross characteristically brings theological questions to the study of history while often adopting an historical approach to the study of theology. All ten essays are grounded in the Malawi context while their themes also have relevance far beyond it."..a very valuable addition to Malawianist scholarship."- Dr Markku Hokkanen, University of Oulu

"Studies on the history of the Blantyre Mission in Malawi often suggest that 1881 marked a turning point in the mission's tradition, following a crisis triggered by a series of scandals that resulted in the dismissal of its top leadership. Kenneth Ross challenges this interpretation, arguing that while a crisis did occur, it did not significantly disrupt the mission's work. Ross maintains that there was a strong element of continuity between the earlier and later phases of the mission, largely sustained by African missionaries trained for the work, a core group of dedicated missionary personnel, and female staff who played a vital role in maintaining the Mission's stability. Through a thorough and detailed examination of archival records, Ross's work offers a fresh and deeper understanding of the Blantyre Mission and its enduring influence - insights that previous accounts have not fully captured." Gift Wasambo Kayira, Head of the Department of History, Archaelogy and Heritage Studies, University of Malawi."In this book Kenneth Ross enables readers to step into the footsteps of our ancestors and to closely experience the travails they endured. From this treasure trove we can discover where we are coming from, where we are, and where we want to be tomorrow. As Blantyre Synod marks its 150th anniversary in 2026, I commend this volume to all Presbyterians and to all who cherish our Malawian history". Anderson Lovemore Jester Juma Chulu, General Secretary, CCAP Blantyre Synod.

Opportunities for Malawians to demonstrate their leadership skills were severely limited during the colonial period. Even the Missions, like Livingstonia and Blantyre, that provided a high level of education often frustrated their graduates by requiring them to work under European supervision on an indefinite basis. This study shows how some early Malawian church leaders took advantage of an unexpected opportunity that arose during the First World War. European missionaries were not allowed to enter Tanzania, but African staff were permitted to cross the border to help the Tanzanian churches to regroup after the devastation caused by the war. For such remarkable figures as Yoram Mphande, George Nyasulu and Jones and Catherine Chikoga, this was a chance to show their mettle.